Return trap



Sept. 23, 1924.

Y 1,509,299 o. G. JOHNSON RETURN TRAP Filed April s, 1922 3 sheets-sheet 1 Sept. 23, 1924. 3,509,299

n Y, Q. G. JOHNSQN vRETURN TRAP Filed April 3, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 23, 1924.

5 sheets-sheet :s

Filed April 3, 1922 `Iaiemea sept. 23,1924.

. OSCAR er. JOHNSON, or NARsHALLroWN, IOWA, AssIoNon To o. A. DUNIIAM COM- PANY, or MARsIIALLTOwN, IOWA, A CORPORATION or IOWA.

RETURN TRAP.

Application :filed April 3, 1922. Serial No. 548,934.

To all whom it 'may concern.'

Be it known that I, OSCAR G. JOHNSON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Marshalltown, in the countyV of Marshall and State of Iowa, have invented certain new vand useful Improvements in Return Traps, of which the following is a speciication.

`My invention relates to return traps of the class adapted for carrying water into a receptacle containingsteam or other fluid under pressure, and it is particularly designed for returning the water of condensation to the boiler of a heating system.

It is one Vof the objectsvof my invention to provide a new and improved'forin and arrangement of parts by which all moving parts are completely enclosed, and by which the use Aof stuiiing boxes is avoided. y

It is another Obj ect of my invention to improve devices ofthis type in sundry details hereinafter pointed out. The preferred means by which I have accomplished my several objectsare illustrated; in the drawings and are hereinafter specifically described. That which I believe to be new and desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the claims.

In the drawings- Fig l is a side view ofmy improved trap, partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross section taken at line 2-2 of Fig. 1. y y

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken at line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 4 and 5 are vertical cross sections taken on lines 1 -4e and 5-5 of Fig 3 respectively. y

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view, being substantially a cross section taken at line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view, being partly diagrammatic, being `substantially a section taken at line 7-7 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but showing the changed position of the parts when the float has risen substantially to its highest point and the parts are ready for an operative movement. `v

Fig. 9 is aviewl similar to Fig. 8, but showing a vchanged position ofthe parts after the voperation ofthe quick movement mechanism.

Fig.`1()is a view similar to Fig. 6, but

showing a changed position of the parts when the float is at its uppermost point ready for its downward movement as the level of the water descends.

Fig. 11 isa view similar to Fig. 9, but showing a changed position of the parts when the float reaches substantially its lowermost point on its downward movement, the quick movement mechanism being substantially in position to act.

Referring to the several figures of the drawings, in which corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference characters, 15 indicates a tank, adapted to receive water of condensation through a pipe 16. An outlet pipe 17 is provided at the bottom ofthe tank 15 for taking the water from the tank for delivery into a boiler when conditions have been prepared making such movement ofthe water possible. In each of the pipes 16 and 17 I have provided a check valve 18 of any approved type adapted to permit the flow of the water in one direction, but to resist iiow of water or steam in the opposite direction.

In order to permit the water of condensation to enter the tank 15, it is necessary that an outlet to the air be provided, and in order to permit the water to flow from the tank 15 into the boiler of the heating sys tem, it is necessary that the pressure within the tank 15 be brought up to a point atleast as high as that within the boiler. I have, therefore, provided means for supplying steam to the tank 15 and at the same time closing the air outlet from the tank, for permitting the water to drain from the tank into the boiler. After this draining operation has been completed, the supply of steam is shut off from the tank and the air outlet lis again opened to permit a new supply of water to collect in the tank 15. In the construction illustrated, the opening of the valve for the admission of steam and the closing of the air outlet port are effected automatically through the use of a float controlled by the level of the water in the tank.

For `controlling the entrance of steam, I have provided a valve comprising a body 19 mounted rigidly in position upon the frame work of the tank 15, steam being delivered to the casing 19 through a port 20 provided in the wall of the tank 15, the port communicating at its outer end with a steam pipe 21, as is best shown in Fig. 2. The casing 19 is provided with a steam chamber 22, as is best shown in Fig. 4, the chamber 22 being closed from the interior of the tank 15 by a balanced double valve construction comprising valves 23 "and 24 mounted upon a stem 25 adapted to be`o,p erated by an arm 26. Aswill be readily understood, when the arm26 is moved upwardly, the valves '23 and 24 are moved out of engagement with their seats so as to permit the steam to pass fromthe chamber 22 to the interior ot the tank 15- The air outlet valve (see Fig. 5) coinprises a casing 27 which ycommunicates with a port 28 formed in the wall of the tank 15,

the port 28 in turn being in communication with an outlet pipe 29. `Substantially balanced valves 30 and 31 are provided for closing ports in the. housing 27 leading from the interior thereof to the interior of the -tank 15, the valves 30 and 31 being mounted upon a valve stem 32 so as to be movable in unison by the use of an arm 33 As will be readily understood, when the arm descends, the valves 30 and 31 are moved from their seats an varm 34 movable with the arm 33, being v about which the arm 33 swings so as to'assist v, in holding the valves in closed position. In

so as to permit the air to escape trom the interior of the tank 15 to the outside atmosphere. Then the arm 33 then is given .an

upward movei'nent, the valves 30 and 31 are closed and communication between the tank vand the outside atmosphere is accordingly closed. For assisting in holding the valves 30 and 31 in closed position, I have provided ,provided at its upper end with a weight `35. When the arm l33 is moved upwardly for closing the valves 30 and 31, the'weight 35 'is adapted to stand at one side of the. axis l order to permit an adjustment of the arm 34 so as to procure just the desired pressure lthrough the use of the weight 35, l have provi'dedslots 36 andbolts 37, as isbest shown in Fig. '5, whereby the desired adjustment can be made.

For supporting the arm upon which the controlling float is mounted, l have provided an arm 38 extending from the housing 19 oi the steam valve, being provided at its outer end with a sleeve 39 in whichis fixedly mounted la long bearing sleeve 40 which acts as a bearing for the shaft 41, asis bes't shown in Fig. 3. As is best shownin F ig. 5, the

arm 33 for operating the air port valve is rigidly mounted upon one end ofthe shaft 41, by means` of a pin '42. Asis best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the arm 26 oroperating the steam valves 23 `and 24, is likewise rigidly 'mounted upon the opposite end of the Ashaft 41, 'being secured in `position Iby' means of a pin 43. y It is thus seen that the steam valve and the air valve are operated (unison, the arrangement lbe'ing such that when the steam valve is opened the air valve Yis closed and vice versa.

for the vs-hait 41, but'also has 51a plurality of sleeves revolubly mounted upon its outer face. A central sleeve 44 revolubly mounted upon the bearing 40 is provided with an arm 45 eite'ndingl from one side thereof, having a yoke 4.6 on its lower end, between .thearins of which theftloat 47'is5revo'lu`bly mounted.` @n op'positesideslof the` sleeve 44, zthere are 'two sleeves148 and 49, which are formed on the'endsfof the afrinsoffa yoke n 50, upon-theiipper nend ot which there' is pivotally mounted aV weigh-t device'h K,For

holding thesleeves 44,48 and`49 in position upon the bearing sleeve40, l have ,provided a` nut v52, as 'isbest 'shown in Fig. y3, t-he'nut merely enough for' 'proper 'rotary movement of thesleeves aboiit'the Abearingsleeve, 40..

As is best ,shown Vin Figs. ltfand V10, the

ed is provided witlilugs 53 and I54, in'sp'aced relation thereon, withV a 'lug 55 mounted upon the sleeve 48 extending between the `lugs 53 and 5 4. lAs will befr'ea'dily understood from an inspeetionof Fig. M6, asw'a'ter accumulates in the tank 21,5, causing the float 47 Ato rise .and causing the `arm 451:0; rise correspondingly, the lug "55 will be VVmoved 'toward the lett in saidFig. fservingto swing the arm .50 in clockwise direction inw said Fig. G. fis the VAupward `=rnoveinent of the arm 45 continues under ythe influence of the'iioat 47, and the arm V50 is swung Afarther and farther toward the` .rfight inFi-g. 16,- bthe arm 50 -is finally brought-to vertical position and very slightly beyond, whereupon the weighted arm 50y is causedl'toswingtoward the right independently of thearm liti-and the yoke 47, the lug55 being'ithus' moved out of engagement with the lug 54-andj`intoV 48 in turn is provided withlugs S6-'andy 57 inspaced relation thereon, withfa lug 58 carried by the arm 26 'in position-between the lugs 56 and 57; As is clearly shownlin said Fig. 7, when the armV 45 carrying the.

float 47 is in its {lowermost position, "theyl-iig z 58 stands.substantially in contaotwiththe ioo "lio

lug 57. VVh'en, however, theploat I47 `has riseiiso'as to carry thenarm 50T substantially to its 'vertical position, the lugs 58 will be found still in its original position, while the lug 57 will have traveled out of contact, and the lug 56 will have approached the opposite side of the lug 58. As will be readily understood, when the arm 50 is given its quick movement toward the right under the iniu- 41, it will .be understood that when the arm swings into the position shown in Fig. 9, the arm 26 is moved upwardly andthe shaft 41 is given `a slight rotation in clockwise direction in Fig. 4, serving accordingly at the same time to move the arm 33 upwardly. It` is thus seen that as thearm 50 moves quickly toward the right, under the influence of the weight 51, the steam valves 23 and 24 are opened and the air valves 30 and 31 are at the same time closed. The pressure of the steam within t-he boiler is thus equalized, and the water is permitted to flow from the tank 15 through the pipe 17 past the check valve 18. i

When the water in the tank 15 begins to' descend from its high level in the tank, `the arm 45 is moved downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 10, serving to move the lug downwardly and serving at the same time to move the arm 50 in counter-clock` wise direction in Fig. 10. y Asj this movement progresses, the lug 56 is gradually moved out of contact with the lug 58, and the lug 57 as gradually approaches contact with the lug 58. When the arm 50 passes very slightly beyond its centered position, the weight 51 causes such arm to swing quickly toward Vthe left in Fig. 4, bringing the lug 57 quickly into contact with the lug- 58, and serving to move the lug 58 toward the leftin Fig.` 11. This movement serves to swing the arms 26 and 33 downwardly vfor again closing the steam valves 23 and 24 and for opening the air valves 30 and 31. yIt is thus seen that I have provided automatic means for controlling the opening and'closing of both the steam valve and the air valve, theopening and closing being under the automatic control Of the float 47. v

While I prefer to employ the construction as illustrated inthe drawings and above described, it will be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the precise details of the construction shown, except as the same is hereinafter specifically claimed, inasmuch as it is evident that many changes can be made in the structure without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In combination, a shaft, a valve connected with said shaft and operated thereby, a weight arm revolubly mounted on said shaft and adapted to have a limited swinging movement thereabout, a float, and a float arm connected with said float and connected revolubly with said shaft and adapted to have a limited swinging movement with respect to said weight arm, the arrangement being such that the linal portion of the Imovement of the weight arm about the axis of the shaft serves to rotate the shaft for operating the valve.

y 2. In combination, an enclosed tank, a shaft revolubly mounted in said tank, a valve for admitting steam to said tank, a second valve for the escape of air from the tank, connections between said valves and said shaft for operating said valves in unison upon the rotation of the shaft, aweight arm fixed on said shaft in position to assist in holding the valves in either their open or their closed condition, and a second weight arm carried by said shaft and adapted to have a limited swinging movement with respect thereto for `operating said valves substantially as set forth.

3. In combination, an enclosed tank, a shaft therein, a steam inlet valve connected with said shaft and operated thereby an air outlet valve connected with said shaft and operated thereby, a weight arm revolubly mounted on said shaft and adapted to have a limited swinging movement thereabout, a float, and a float arm connected with said float and connected revolubly with said shaft and adapted to have a limited swinging movement with respect to said weight arm, the arrangement being such that the initial movement of the float from either its uppermost or its lowermost position serves to swing said weight arm into vertical position ready for continued swinging independently of the float, the continued swinging movement of the weight arm by gravity being adapted to rotate said shaft slightly for operating said valves in unison.

OSCAR G, JOHNSON. 

